Sinn Féin - On Your Side

DUP search for excuses continues

Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness today said that the DUP search
for excuses to engage had to end. He also called for the British Prime
Minster Tony Blair and the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to take a hands on role in
the process if progress is to be made in the coming period.

Mr McGuinness said:

"The DUP are today meeting with the IICD in Belfast. This meeting has little
to do with IRA weapons. The IRA have dealt decisively with that issue and
the DUP know this. What today's meeting is about is part of the DUP search
for excuses not to engage.

"It is time that the DUP began to live up to their political
responsibilities and began showing the sort of political leadership they
promised to deliver. The time for excuses is over and the two governments
need to make this clear to the DUP.

"It is still my firm view that progress can be made in the time ahead.
However I believe that the British Prime Minster Tony Blair and the
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern need to take a hands on approach and begin to inject
momentum and drive the process forward if this is to be achieved." ENDS